The music was already thumping when I arrived at the house party, lights of different colors flashing the room making it dull and bright at the same time.
It wasn't anything too fancy — just a bunch of college friends packed into a small living room, laughing too loudly, swaying to the beat, red plastic cups in their hands and some tongues all over each other throats.
It was my friend's birthday — the kind of girl who made every gathering feel like the best night of your life. I had rushed there straight from class, still wearing my jeans and a simple top, feeling a little out of place among all the glittering outfits.Every girl there had either her ass or her boobs out.
I wasn't looking for anything tonight.
Actually, I had just started dating someone.a two week old relationship— a sweet, quiet guy who had been chasing me for months. It felt safe with him, easy.
But nothing could have prepared me for what would happen next.
I spotted him by the drink table.
Tall, athletic build, messy dark hair, a tight white t-shirt clinging to arms that looked like they belonged in a gym ad.
He was laughing at something one of the guys said, head thrown back, pouring drinks into everyone's cups like he owned the place.
I froze for a second.
God, he was hot and had an amazing jaw line.
As if he could feel my stare, he turned — and our eyes locked.
Everything else around me faded.
It was just the two of us, breathing the same heavy, electric air.
He smiled, a slow, crooked grin that made my heart stutter.
Without even thinking, I smiled back — and in that moment, the beer he was pouring nearly overflowed the cup.
He chuckled under his breath, pulling the bottle back quickly, some of the drink spilling onto the table.
I stepped forward, feeling bold, like something inside me had clicked open.I could feel the vibration inside my stomach.
"Careful," I teased lightly, my voice a little breathless.
He shook his head, laughing, handing me the cup.
"Sorry about that. You're... distracting."
I felt my cheeks warm and smiled like a goof.
Maybe it was the dim lighting, maybe it was the music pulsing through the walls, but standing that close to him, feeling the heat of his body just inches away, made me feel alive in a way I hadn't felt in a long time not even with my current boyfriend.
"Are you on drink duty tonight?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.
"Apparently," he said, flashing another one of those grins that made it hard to breathe.
"Birthday girl asked me to keep everyone happy. Guess I'm doing a bad job already."
"No complaints here," I said, lifting the cup slightly in thanks.
We stood there for a second too long — two strangers, smiling at each other over cheap beer and terrible pop music — until my best friend" the birthday girl came over, laughing drunkenly took my hand and asked me to go to the dance floor,breaking the moment.
I moved away, heart hammering in my chest, feeling a ridiculous grin spread across my face.
After dancing i found a corner of the room to lean against, pretending to sip my drink, sneaking glances at him from under my lashes.
He wasn't looking at me anymore.
He was laughing with some friends now, handing out more drinks to the group playing truth or dare.I could see the girls giggling and making glances at him.This made me jealous.
Still, every time he laughed, my stomach flipped.
Every time he brushed past, the air between us became hot and had to stop breathing.
I told myself to get a grip.
I had a boyfriend.
He probably had someone too — guys like that never stayed single long.
But when our eyes met again across the room, and he gave me a small, secret smile just for me, I knew it was already too late.
Later that night, as the party wound down and people started leaving in noisy groups,while others sleeping on the couch and some over the kitchen counter vommiting from the amount of alcohol they had taken.I found myself sitting on the low brick wall outside the house, staring up at the stars.
I heard footsteps, and a second later, he dropped down beside me, so close our thighs brushed.
"Hey," he said, voice low and deep.
"Hey," I replied, heart hammering so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
We sat there in silence for a moment.
The night was warm, the sky clear.
Inside, someone was still blasting music, but out here, it was just the sound of frogs from the nearby pond and crickets and our breathing.
"I don't think I got your name," he said finally, turning to face me.
I smiled, realizing I hadn't gotten his either.
We exchanged names,Viola i said while smiling my teeth out-'I'm James ' he said,hands brushing for a second too long as we shook — who even shook hands at a party? — but it didn't matter. The touch was enough to send a jolt of heat through my body.
"You're friends with the birthday girl?" I asked, desperate to keep him talking, to stay in this bubble with him a little longer.
"Yeah," he said, leaning back on his hands, stretching out his legs.
"We go way back. You?"
"Same," I said.
"She's basically my sister at this point."
He smiled, and for a second, I let myself imagine what it would be like to kiss him right then and there.
To lean over, close the small distance between us, and feel his mouth on mine.
But before I could lose my mind completely, someone called his name from the driveway.
"Guess that's my ride," he said, standing up slowly, brushing imaginary dust off his jeans.
He hesitated for a second, like he wanted to say something more.
I held my breath.
Instead, he just smiled — a soft, almost shy thing — and said, "See you around?"
I nodded, feeling a strange pang of disappointment as he walked away.
See you around.
I replayed the words in my head as I sat there alone under the stars, my drink forgotten in my hand.
What I didn't know then was that "see you around" would turn into something so much more.
Something dangerous, thrilling, and completely unforgettable.